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Question

My dad passed away and it's made me struggle with God. How can I strengthen my faith?

Answer

Thank you so much for your honest spiritual enquiry about your relationship with God following the loss of your dad.

This is a really great question to ask, because ultimately it is only in God that we have the strength to deal with the hard times and the difficulties that we experience in our lives. Sometimes our circumstances and situations can seem overwhelming and it seems impossible to keep going. I’m so glad that you see the importance of faith and a relationship with God to sustain you in this time.

These verses from the Psalms have been very helpful to me:

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)

God is our creator, He knows exactly what we are like, and He cares for us. He understands our humanity and the emotions we feel and the difficulties that we face. Be completely honest with Him, He already knows exactly what we are experiencing anyway. Jesus experienced all we experience so He completely understands us.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Praying through Psalms may be helpful, and share your real emotions with your heavenly Father. Not all the Psalms are written in a time of great joy and victory. Many are written when the psalmist was in much sorrow and defeat.

Fellowship is also really important as we aren’t meant to be isolated. The church is a body, a building, a family, we support each other, so make sure that you attend a good Bible-believing church and share in the community of believers there.

Ultimately abandoning a belief in God doesn’t work, it only means that we are then just coping alone, we are still suffering, but with no comfort. So, in the difficult times look back to the cross; Jesus suffered and died in our place, He voluntarily went through the cross because He cares for us and loves us more than we will ever be able to understand. If we trust in Christ, we no longer need to bear the consequences that our wrongdoing deserves, but instead are brought into a wonderful relationship with God. Even in the difficult times, remind yourself of what Christ has done, and the gracious gift of salvation.

Also look forward as one day all tears will be wiped away.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:3-4)

The trials and pain of this life will not be forever, we have an amazing hope. All the sadness and sorrow will one day be taken away and we will be with our God forever!

In summary, God knows the way that you are feeling at the moment, and He deeply cares for you. Speak to Him honestly, using Psalms may help, and spend time with other believers. Keep reading the Bible, reminding yourself of what Christ in His great love has done for you, and the wonderful hope that all Christians have.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)

Here are some more Bible Verses for your further consideration:

1 Peter 1:3-9

Psalm 69

Psalm 31

I hope this answer helps you to find peace with God through Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about what Jesus has done for you please watch the video on the main part of our site: Watch the video

I encourage you to attend a local Bible believing church and speak to the leader about your question. If you want to find a local church, our Church Finder may help you: Find a Church

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*All Scripture references are taken From The English Standard Version of the Holy Bible unless stated otherwise

*If anything in this answer affects you directly, then please feel free to call our confidential prayer line in the UK on 0845 4567729, where trained Christian volunteers will take your call and pray both for you and with you. If you are outside of the UK then you may submit your request for prayer on line at www.ucb.co.uk/prayerline